Published in The Courier-News on December 28, 2005

I am not shocked by the response of President Bush to the public revelation in The New York Times that he authorized spying on the American people. Indeed, his response was entirely in character. Like a child who has is caught in an obvious lie, the President believes that repetitious and forceful denial can make it true.

Eavesdropping contradicts the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), evades judicial or legislative oversight, and eviscerates public trust and accountability.

Telling four to six congressmen about the NSA activities, and forbidding them to discuss it with other members of the intelligence committees, is not oversight. Because there is no oversight of the activities the president authorized, we will never know whether they are effective, abusive, or merely a waste of time and money.

As to his claim that the constitution requires him to protect the American people, many of us are rightfully wary. In fact Article II of the Constitution states in the presidential oath that his or her duty is, "To the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the constitution of the United States."